Butterfly response to microclimatic conditions following ponderosa pine restoration

Published source details Meyer C.L. & Sisk T.D. (2001) Butterfly response to microclimatic conditions following ponderosa pine restoration. Restoration Ecology, 9, 453-461.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore or create forest or woodland Action Link
	Clear or open patches in forests Action Link

Restore or create forest or woodland

A paired sites study in 1999 in a pine forest in Arizona, USA (Meyer and Sisk 2001) found that orange sulphur Colias eurytheme butterflies, but not pine white Neophasia menapia butterflies, flew into areas of ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa forest restored by selective logging more often than into unrestored areas. From both east- and west-facing edges, orange sulphur butterflies flew into an area of forest restored through selective logging more often than they flew into unrestored forest (58–90%). Pine whites did not fly into the restored area more often than expected by chance from either edge (47–57%). In early 1999, 87% of trees in the restoration area were cut and removed. In unrestored areas no trees were cut. In July and August 1999, orange sulphur and pine white butterflies were collected from the study sites and nearby land, and held overnight at 5 °C. Thirty minutes before dawn, butterflies were released at four points 1 m from the east- or west-facing edge between the restored and unrestored areas (two points on the east- and two on the west-facing edge of the restored area). Orange sulphurs were monitored on three mornings and pine whites on one morning. Behaviour was monitored until they moved >10 m from the release point.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
Clear or open patches in forests

A paired sites study in 1999 in a pine forest in Arizona, USA (Meyer and Sisk 2001) found that orange sulphur Colias eurytheme butterflies, but not pine white Neophasia menapia butterflies, flew into areas with selective clearance of ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa more often than into areas without selective clearance. From both east- and west-facing edges, orange sulphur butterflies flew into an area of forest restored through selective logging more often than they flew into unrestored forest (58–90%). Pine whites did not fly into the restored area more often than expected by chance from either edge (47–57%). In early 1999, eighty-seven percent of trees in the restoration area were cut and removed. In unrestored areas no trees were cut. In July and August 1999, orange sulphur and pine white butterflies were collected from the study sites and nearby land, and held overnight at 5 °C. Thirty minutes before dawn, butterflies were released at four points 1 m from the east- or west-facing edge between the restored and unrestored areas (two points on the east- and two on the west-facing edge of the restored area). Orange sulphurs were monitored on three mornings and pine whites on one morning. Behaviour was monitored until they moved >10 m from the release point.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)